Automobile transport van



Feb. 15, 1949. A. J. SCHALDACH' ET AL AUTOMOBILE TRANSPORT VAN 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 10, 1947 INVENTORS H.1Scbaldach D. H.5Zackburn ATTORN EY S Feb. 15, 1949. A. J. SCHALDACH Er AI; 2,461,927

AUTOMOBILE TRANSPORT VAN Filed Jan. 1o, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 2- i n mi Efib wlk, ac un 0 5 Y E N R 0 w A 1949- A. J. SCHALDACH ETAL 2,461,

AUTOMOBILE TRANSPORT VAN Filed Jan. 10, 1947 e sheets-sheet s Z INVENTORS H. JScbaZaach y 0. fl.filackburn 1949. A. J. SCHALDACH ETAL 2,461,927

AUTOMOBILE TRANSPORT VAN Filed Jan. 10, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TORS H. J. SChaZa'a c]:

[/3 H. Blackburn HTTYS A. J. SCHALDACH ETAL 2,461,927

AUTOMOBILE TRANSPORT VAN Feb. 15, 1949.

Filed Jan. 10, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TORS Mm au b 5 c A H0 HTTYS 1949- A. J. SCHALDACH EI'AL 1,

AUTOMOBILE TRANSPORT VAN Filed Jan. 10, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INV ENTOR5 flJSc'baZdaCb By Z). H. Blackburn Patented Feb. 15, 1949 AUTOMOBILE TRANSPORT VAN Alvin J. Schaldach and Virgil A. Blackburn, Sacramento, Calif.

Application January 10, 1947, Serial No. 721,250

3 Claims.

This invention is directed to, and it is an object to provide, an improved automobile transport Van especially designed for the delivery of new automobiles from the factory to dealers; the van being arranged so that four automobiles may be transported as a load, all within a protective enclosure to maintain such automobiles clean.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automobile transport van which includes, within an enclosed body, a lower deck and an upper deck, both adapted to receive a pair of automobiles in end to end relation; the upper deck being of novel adjustable construction whereby the double-decked van can be loaded readily and without employing an excessively high topped body. With the present deck construction/the overall height of the van is not greater than allowed by law.

A further object of the invention is to provide an auto transport van in the form of a trailer adapted to couple to a truck van in trailing relation; the trailer van loading from the rear end and having front end doors so that automobiles from the trailer van may be loaded into the truck van by transfer between adjacent ends thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide 2 Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional plan on line 6-43 of Fig. 5.

a practical transport van, and one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a longitudinal or elevational outline of the automobile transport van, with the near side panel removed, illustrating the manner of loading the upper deck. I

Fig. 2 is a similar view, but illustrates the manner of loading the lower deck.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional elevation illustrating the manner of connection of the detachable loading ramps, with the rear runway section when the latter is lowered to loading position.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional elevation illustrating the eye type hinge connection between the front end of the rear runway section and the adjacent end of the intermediate runway section of the upper deck.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross section of the van .on line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. '7 is a cross section on line 'i-l of Fig. 2. Fig. 8 is a cross section on line 8-8 ofFig. 2. Fig. 9 is a cross section on line 9-9 of Fig. 2. Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side elevation of the struzture shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a cross section on line I l-l l of Fig. 2.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary section-a1 plan view of the front end of the van illustrating particularly the folding front end doors.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the improved automobile transport van includes an elongated main frame, indicated generally at l, which includes transversely spaced, longitudinally extending side beams 2 of channel configuration disposed in facing relation. The main frame l'includes, at its forward end, an upwardly offset portion 3 having a fifth wheel part 4 adapted for cooperative engagement with a similar part on the rear end of a truck (not shown).

The elongated main frame I is provided with an enclosed or van body, indicated generally at 5, and said van body includes upstanding, longitudinally extending side frames 5 of skeleton construction, as shown. The side frames 8 are connected together by top bars 7, and the van is enclosed by a top cover 8 and side panels 9. Access to the van body 5 is provided, at the rear of the latter, by means of hing-ed rear doors ii). For the purpose hereinafter described, the van body is fitted with hinged front doors H, which are of folding type, whereby they may be opened without undue forward projection.

Adjacent its rear ends the elongated main frame I is supported by transversely spaced dual wheel trucks l2 carried on a suitable axle assembly.

Within the van body 5 the'same is provided with a lower deck, indicated generally at l3, and an upper dezk, indicated generally at it; each deck being adapted to receive, in transport relation, a pair of automobiles disposed in end to end relation.

The lower deck 13 is comprised of a floor plate I?) which extends full length of the main frame 1 between the longitudinal side beams .2, being supported, along opposite edges, by the latter. Longitudinal guide rods l6, fixed on the floor plate 4 5, define the runways for the automobiles on the lower deck; the floor plate it being humped slightly, as at H, over the axle structure (not shown) which carries the dual wheel trucks H2.

The upper deck Mcomprises a rear runway 3 section, indicated generally at l8; an intermediate runway section, indicated generally at l9; a drop runway section, indicated generally at 2B; and a front runway section, indicated generally at 2|.

The rear runway section l8 comprises a pair of longitudinally extending, transversely spaced runways 22 hinged, at their forward ends, by eye-type hinges 23 to the rear ends of corresponding runways 24 which the intermediate runway section includes. The runways 22 are connected together, for vertical swinging adjustmentfby means including a cross bar 25 disposed adjacent the rear end of said rear runway section l8; the cross bar 25 projecting, at opposite ends, into arcuate guides 26 mounted on corresponding side frames 6.

The rear runway section is adapted to be actu-' ated between a raised, substantially horizontal position, as in Fig. 2, to a lowered, rearwardly and .udownwardly inclined position, as in Fig. 1, by means of upstanding, power jacks 21' connected ibetween the floor plate i and the cross bar 25.

The rear runway section I8 is normally maintained in its raised position, relieving the jacks 2'! -of the load, by means of swing braclzets'28 which project outwardly in supporting relation to correisponding runways 22. When the rear runway sec- ..tion 18 is to be lowered, the brackets 28 are swung ,:.against the corresponding side frames 6 to clear said brackets from .the runways 22.

..-.The intermediate runway section ill, to which the rear runwayxsection i8 is hinged, comprises the-runways 2 lfixed to brackets 29 formed on :upstanding, power jacks as; there being a longixtudinally spaced pair of said power jacks 30 for 1 each runway 24. It will be noted that by operzation of the power jacks the intermediate runway section [9 may be raised or lowered a subcstantial, distance; the forward end of the rear :runway section l8 correspondingly varying in elevation. On one side of the van there is an access door 3 i between the upstanding power jacks i 30 to. permit an operator to enter the van during loading operations, especially when entry through I either end of the van would not be convenient.

.:The drop runway section 20 compri es a pair .of: longitudinally extending, transversely spaced .runways 32 hinged to adjacent side frames 6, as at 33, for downward folding movement from a normally raised position, as in Figs. 1 and 9, to a lowered or dropped position, as in Figs. 2 and 10. In their dropped or lowered position the runways 3.! lie close to the side frames 6, for the reason which will hereinafter-be.explained. The runways 32 of the drop runway section 2!] are normally maintained in their raised position by stay rods 34 pivoted in connection with the runways '32 adjacent the ends thereof, and extending at a downward and laterally outward incline. Adjacent but short of their lower ends the stay rods 3% are formed "with stop collars 35, and below said collars the mprojecting lower ends of the rods 3e removably I extend through bore 36 of horizontal frame members 31 of corresponding side frames'e. To drop the runways 32 the stay rods 3:3 are merely re- '.moved*from the bores 35, permitting said run- .ways and rods to fall to their lowered position,

:asshown in dotted lines in Fig. 9, and in full lines ,ini Fig. 10.

"Ahead of the drop runway section 20 the upper :Ideck includes the front runway section 2|, which -comprises a pair of longitudinally extending,

transversely spaced runways'fiii normally disposed :;in raised position, butmounted fordrop or lower- 4 ing movement in the same manner as the runways 32 of the drop runway section 20. The runways 38 are hinged, as at 39, for downward lowering motion, and are maintained in their normal raised position by stay rods 40 removably supported in connection with frame members 40a in the same manner as the stay rods 34.

The above described automobile transport van is' loaded in they following manner:

At the outset the rear runway section I8 is lowered by the power jacks 21 until it assumes its downward and rearward incline, as shown in Fig.1; the .intermediate runway section l9, drop the loading ramps 4| onto the upper deck, and to the forward end of the latter. In this, position the rear wheels of automobile A rest on the front .runway section 2|, whilethe front wheels rest on the vertically adjustable intermediate runway section I9.

, Next, automobile B is run up the loading ramps 4i forwardly, until said automobile is disposed with its front wheels on the vertically adjustable, intermediate runway section l9, and its rear wheels resting on the rear runway section 3.

With automobile B in this position the ramps 4| are detached; the power jacks 21 actuated to raise and substantially level the rearrunway section l8; and the brackets 28 swung laterally inwardly to support the rear end portion of said rear runway section l8 so that the load may be relieved from the jacks 21.

, After the automobiles A and B are loaded onto the upper deck in the manner described, said automobiles are pulled down on their springs, by suitable connection means (not shown) extending from the automobile frames downward to the adjacent runways. This reduces the overall height of said automobiles. Thereafter, the power jacks 30 are operated to raise the runways 24 of the intermediate runway section l9, lifting the adjacent front ends of automobiles A and B on the upper deck. Also, before any automobile is run onto the lower deck the, runways 32 of the drop runway section 20 are released and dropped to their lowered position in close relation to corresponding side frames 6.

The loading ramps 4! are.then attached to the rear end of the floor plate. l5, and automobile C isv run up said ramps forwardly onto the lower .deck and carried forward in the van ,untilthe front wheels of such automobile travel up the incline of the floor plate corresponding to the upwardly offsetportion and fall into wheel wells 43' in the floor plate. In this position the, front upper portion of the body of automatic C projects upwardly into the space initially occupied by the runways 32 of the drop runway section 20. The reason for dropping these runways 32 is therefore evident. With automobile C thus positioned in the van and suitably anchored against longitudinal movement, the fourth and final automobile D is backed up the ramps M and ,into the van below. the then raised rear'runway section I8, and ,is.;also-,anchored;against. longitudinal, movement.

When the van has thus;be en loaded; therramps 4| are detached, stored at any suitable point in the van, and the rear doors ll) closed.

The four automobiles as thus loaded in the van may be transported from place to place safely, conveniently, and in protective relation against the weather. The automobiles remain clean throughout the entire transport thereof, and arrive in a presentable condition.

To unload the van the above described method of loading is merely reversed.

If the transport van is coupled in trailing relation to a draft truck which likewise includes an automobile receiving body, said body may be loaded directly from the trailing van by running the automobiles through the latter with the front folding doors H open, whence the automobiles may pass on transfer runways (not shown) directly into the rear end of the truck body.

For loading into the truck body from the lower deck iii, the runways 32 of the drop runway section 20, as well as the runways 38 of the front runway section 2|, are dropped to lowered position, whereby not to obstruct passage of the automobile.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that there has been produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed as new and useful and upon which Letters Patent are desired:

1. An automobile transport van comprising an elongated wheel-supported main frame, and an automobile supporting structure on the main frame including upstanding, longitudinal side frames and an upper and lower runway deck mounted between said side frames, each deck being adapted to receive and carry two automobiles in end to end relation; the upper deck including a rear runway section, a front runway section and an intermediate runway section, said runway sections being of a length and disposed so that when two automobiles occupy the upper deck the wheels at adjacent ends rest on the intermediate runway section, the latter being vertically adjustable.

2. An automobile transport van comprising an elongated wheel-supported main frame, and an automobile supporting structure on the main frame including upstanding, longitudinal side frames and an upper and lower runway deck mounted between said side frames, each deck being adapted to receive and carry two automobiles in end to end relation; the upper deck including a rear runway section, a front runway section and an intermediate runway section, said runway sections being of a length and disposed so that when two automobiles occupy the upper deck the wheels at adjacent ends rest on the intermediate runway section, the latter being vertically adjustable, there being a drop runway section interposed in the upper deck between the intermediate and ront runway sections in predetermined relation 0 the position occupied by the foremost automobile on the lower deck.

3. A vehicle transport van comprising an elongated wheel supported main frame having an up-- wardly offset portion adjacent its forward end, an enclosed body on said main frame, a lower vehicle deck and an upper vehicle deck disposed within the body, the lower deck comprising a runway section extending the full length of the main frame, including the front upwardly offset portion thereof, the. length of such runway being such as to accommodate two vehicles end to end, the upper deck comprising a rear runway section, an intermediate runway section, a drop runway section, and a front runway section, the front runway section being disposed adjacent the front end of the body, and the drop runway section being disposed between the front runway section and the intermediate runway section and being of such a length that a vehicle with its wheels on the first part and intermediate runway sections, respectively, will substantially straddle the drop runway section, the latter being collapsible whereby to leave the space between the wheels of such vehicle clear, the relative heights of the upper and lower runways being such that the top of a vehicle on the lower deck with its front wheels on the upwardly offset portion thereof will project into such clear space.

ALVIN J. SCHALDACH. VIRGIL A. BLACKBURN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

